classic Archives

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Video: Here’s 19 minutes of Gears of War: E-Day Horde Siege mode gameplay running on the ‘Ludicrous’ PC preset

Gears of War: E-Day features a new multiplayer mode called Horde Siege, where 12 players are divided into three squads with unique objectives on the same map. The gameplay includes large-scale events like Boss Invasions that encourage cooperation among squads. A preview session showcased the 'Blitz' variation on the Golden Quarter map, using high-end PC specifications. Players who pre-order the game will access an open beta from August 6-10, which will include one Horde Siege map and a level cap of 10. The beta will also feature two Versus modes and two maps, while the full game will launch on October 6 with additional content. The Premium Edition offers five days of early access starting October 1.

Winsage

July 30, 2026

ThinkPads from 2008 are some of the hottest used laptops right now — Here’s how (and why) they’re being turned into Windows 11 PCs

The ThinkPad X210Ai is a modified laptop that combines the chassis of older ThinkPad models (X200/X201) with a modern mainboard from TP Art, featuring Intel Core Ultra processors, DDR5 RAM support, dual M.2 SSD slots, Thunderbolt 4, and HDMI 2.1. The modification allows users to retain the original display and keyboard while requiring some chassis adjustments. TP Art offers a kit starting at 9, with complete builds beginning at 9, excluding RAM and storage. The popularity of the X210Ai has surged due to rising RAM prices and the demand for reliable, customizable machines. The modified board allows compatibility with Windows 11 and various Linux distributions. Processing times for orders can take up to six months, and cancellations are not allowed once placed.

Winsage

July 30, 2026

Legendary Windows developer codes Task Manager for the Mac, says Apple’s ‘Activity Monitor blows’ — Microsoft gave original Windows Task Manager dev permission to reference Windows XP source code

Dave W. Plummer, a former Microsoft developer and creator of Windows Task Manager, is developing a version of Task Manager for Apple Mac computers, critiquing the existing Activity Monitor. The new Mac Task Manager, which is in beta testing, aims to include features like task priorities and startup management, and will be available for free on the App Store. Plummer confirmed that Microsoft provided him with the source code for XP Task Manager, but the new project is developed in Swift without using any original Microsoft code.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

RTS games aren’t dead yet – but nothing hits quite like Starcraft 2

The real-time strategy (RTS) genre has seen a resurgence, with Starcraft 2 celebrating its 16th anniversary next week. The game features a rich campaign and has received updates to its multiplayer mode, reigniting interest among players. The mission design in Starcraft 2 is praised for advancing the narrative while introducing new units and mechanics organically. One notable mission, 'Outbreak,' involves strategic gameplay using a day/night cycle and the introduction of the Hellion unit. The game includes hidden tutorials and optional objectives, allowing for tailored experiences and non-linear progression. Despite its age, Starcraft 2 maintains a polished interface and fluid gameplay. It is now accessible as a free-to-play title, allowing players to enjoy the entirety of Wings of Liberty and several co-op characters. The RTS genre faces challenges in attracting new audiences, but Starcraft 2 remains a compelling choice for those seeking a strategic experience.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

The Vast Majority of Capcom’s 2026 Game Sales Have Been Digital

Capcom's financial report for Q1 2026 shows that 93.3% of its sales were from digital formats, while physical media sales accounted for 6.7%. Of the digital sales, 60.4% came from PC platforms and 32.9% from consoles. The Resident Evil franchise is a major contributor to digital sales, now ranking as the third highest-selling game franchise in Japan. Resident Evil 2 has surpassed Resident Evil 5 as the best-selling title in the series. Despite the shift towards digital gaming, Capcom has stated it will continue producing physical game discs due to ongoing demand from players.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

The next game on GOG’s preservation list would be your favourite ARPG if it hadn’t released the same year as Diablo 2, and it’s on sale now

NOX, an action role-playing game released by Westwood in 2000, is being revived as it has secured a spot in GOG's Preservation Program following a recent patron poll. GOG will provide ongoing support and enhancements for the game, which is currently available on GOG for a limited-time price of .39. Owners of the game will receive updates free of charge.

BetaBeacon

July 29, 2026

Pokémon Red and Blue run natively on Windows and Android in new 3D voxel version

The latest version of Pokémon Red and Blue Edition has a new VoxelMod that changes the game's appearance without altering gameplay. Players can enjoy the classic Pokémon experience on modern platforms with enhanced visuals. The Gen1Recomp and DramaticShape VoxelMod are available for free on GitHub for download.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Mid-week Android game and app deals: Aeon’s End, Runic Curse, Quest of Wizard, HOOK, more

An array of Android game and app deals is currently available, featuring titles such as Aeon’s End, Runic Curse, Quest of Wizard, HOOK, Slay the Spire, Inbetween Land (Full), Thimbleweed Park, and The Wild Case Adventure (Full). The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is discounted by up to 5 and comes with a free pair of Galaxy Buds 4. Additional price drops include various game titles, productivity apps, creative software, and educational resources.

Tech Optimizer

July 29, 2026

After rewriting SQLite in Rust, Turso turns its sights on Postgres

Cloud database provider Turso is developing a Postgres-compatible implementation based on its SQLite-compatible database, which was created from scratch in Rust. CEO Glauber Costa believes Postgres can benefit from modernization for cloud-native applications. Turso's SQLite reimplementation, now called Turso, uses a virtual machine architecture that may eventually support other database frontends, including MySQL and Redis. The company initially forked SQLite into libSQL but later pivoted to a cloud service named Turso. They focused on a virtual machine architecture for their rewrite, which translates SQL queries into a custom bytecode language. Turso has developed a Postgres-compatible prototype named pgmicro, which aims to run existing applications with minimal modifications. The company is also working on a database-as-a-cloud service that will allow customers to use various database types on the Turso platform.

Winsage

July 29, 2026

This forgotten Windows shortcut from the ’90s replaces your worst terminal habit

Pressing F7 in the Command Prompt displays a pop-up with a numbered list of recently executed commands, allowing users to select and execute commands quickly without retyping. This feature, introduced in MS-DOS 5.0 through DOSKEY.exe, has been integrated into Windows since the early 1990s. Users can navigate the command list with the Up and Down arrow keys and execute a command by pressing Enter. The command history is session-specific and is lost when the window is closed. The F7 feature provides a visual overview of commands, enhancing efficiency compared to repeatedly pressing the Up Arrow key. However, it does not retain command history between sessions or offer advanced features found in modern shells like PowerShell.